Page 96 - OHS, July/August 2022

PPE: HAND PROTECTION
PPE Innovations—
What’s in It for You?
The safety industry continues to shift with the latest technology built to last.
BY JOHN HENIFF
New developments in PPE technology are constantly being researched, created and released. But you may be tempted to ask what’s in it for you? If your PPE is working, why do you need an “innovation?” The answer: better protection,
fewer injuries, increased comfort, easier compliance and happier workers.
Whether your workers want cut protection that feels comfortable, impact protection that is lean, or protection from the heat that will last for hours, new technologies can provide the defense and relief you may not have known existed! And the secret many people don’t realize is that many of these advancements make for more durable PPE that lasts longer and might even save you money over time.
High Cut Resistance in Light and
Comfortable Gloves and Sleeves
Workers who wear standard cut-resistant gloves when handling small parts or using electronic devices may be tempted to take them off if they get in the way. This wastes time, decreases their productivity and puts them at risk of injury.
New materials have been developed to achieve cut resistance as high as ANSI Level A9 while still being comfortable and lightweight. These developments are used to create gloves and sleeves that are over 50 percent lighter than similar HPPE of the same cut level. They’re also specifically engineered to make a worker’s skin feel cooler within a featherlight and breathable shell that almost feels like a second skin.
How is this possible? Manufacturers have created a yarn that is lightweight yet stronger and more flexible than stainless steel. The resulting material’s dexterity and tactile sensitivity enables your workers to pick up and assemble small parts like nuts and bolts without taking their gloves off.
Lightweight Protective Clothing for
Dangerous and Hot Industries
Older cut-resistant sweaters used for working in dangerous environments like glass plants were often made from materials that felt heavy and hot. Over time, they could also stretch out for a poor fit and wear out areas with higher abrasion risk like the abdomen.
PPE manufacturers have taken these problems into account to create new solutions so your workers no longer have to be uncomfortable or hot to stay protected. New technology along with the latest yarn-wrapping techniques create garments that are 30 percent lighter than similar garments and won’t trap as much heat against a worker’s body. Even with this lighter-weight and
The latest PPE innovations and technologies can make life easier, safer and more comfortable.
cooler design, these tops have a higher level of cut-resistance to protect your workers’ abdomen, neck, wrists and forearms.
Coreless Comfort with High Cut Protection
Coreless technology has become a popular innovation in gloves and sleeves over the last few years. Unlike materials made with yarn that have cut-resistant cores made of fiberglass, steel or basalt that can fray and scratch your workers’ skin, yarn made with coreless technology is infused with strength-enhancing microparticles that don’t cause discomfort or irritation. And now, the latest developments in coreless PPE provide lightweight cut- resistance up to ANSI Cut Level A6 that’s 30 percent lighter than similar gloves with the same cut level. This coreless technology also feels cool to the touch so your workers’ hands will feel comfortable all through their shift.
Impact Protection for Lighter-Duty Jobs
Old-style impact gloves tend to cause hand fatigue, and even some of the newer, more flexible impact gloves can be a bit too much for lighter duty jobs like construction, I&E or maintenance that carry enough impact risk to be rough on the hands. For these
92 Occupational Health & Safety | JULY/AUGUST 2022
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